At any time a medical emergency can hit and put you out of work. It’s important to know what your options are when this happens so you can be as prepared as possible.

Benefits can be tricky and many times you may feel like you’re jumping through hoops just to get bills paid. There seem to be all kinds of rules and you can’t get Medicaid if you’re already receiving aid or if you don’t meet a specific set of qualifications. Social security benefits are based on how much time you’ve worked and what you’ve paid in against what you’re able to bring in now. Medicaid is based on the amount of money you’re bringing in and your household size.

What Are SSB Checks

The Social Security benefits are checks paid to senior citizens on a monthly basis. In becoming eligible to collect social security benefits one should have worked legally in the U.S. The average amount comes to around $1,411 per month and can go up to $2,788 per month depending on age and other parameters like the age at which they opt for the benefit and their contribution during their corporate life.

Social Security and Medicaid Possibilities

You’ll be happy to know it is possible to become eligible for social security benefits even if you’re getting Medicaid. Take the following steps so you can start collecting both. Benefits can be tricky and lots of times you may feel like you’re jumping through hoops just to get things paid. There seem to be all kinds of rules and you can’t get Medicaid if you’re already receiving aid or if you don’t meet a specific set of qualifications. Social security benefits are based on how much time you’ve worked and what you’ve paid in against what you’re able to bring in now. Medicaid however, is based on the amount of money you’re bringing in and your household size. You’ll be happy to know it is possible to become eligible for social security benefits even if you’re getting Medicaid. Take the following steps so you can start collecting both.

How To Become Eligible For Social Security While Receiving Medicaid

One good thing about certain states is with Social Security and Medicaid is if you qualify for one, you usually qualify for the other. It depends on the state you live in. You can search your social security site or visit your office to determine if your state automatically qualifies you for social security with Medicaid and vice versa. Once you determine if your state does qualify you then you need to determine if they use their own criteria for determining your eligibility or if they base it from social security standards. If it’s the later you’ll have to file a separate application to see if you qualify for Medicaid. If your state uses their own criteria then they will set a limit for your income which may match or be different than what you had to qualify for social security. If the state you live in goes by the social security standards then your income already qualifies for both.

What’s the Difference?

If you’re looking to get both Medicaid and Social Security you might want to know what the differences are and what you get with each. Medicaid is run by the state and provides aid specifically for medical issues. Social security provides cash directly and is ran by the federal government. They’re similar in a lot of ways as well. Both programs will make you fill out an application before they look over your past medical history. The ailment you have that you’re requesting aid for must prevent you from being able to work and this will be reviewed periodically as you receive care.

Requirements for Medicaid

Medicaid gives aids to pregnant women, older people, and those who are disabled. It’s based on your income and depends on the state you live in. For most the minimal requirements are as follows.

Resources such as bank accounts can’t equal more than $2000.00

You have to be disabled effective for twelve months.

Your income must be below a certain amount based on family size.

Medicaid will pay for some things for pregnant women like childbirth classes, prenatal, and postnatal care. It still depends on how much you’re making.

Requirements For Social Security

You will be approved for social security based on your medical condition and your income. The following ailments are approved for social security aid.

Musculoskeletal problems

Respiratory Illnesses

Neurological disorders

Mental disorders

Skin disorders

Cancer

Kidney disease

These are all reviewed on a case by case basis and there are several other medical conditions that will qualify such as digestive issues, immune disorders, and speech issues. Since social security benefits are offered based on the amount of money you earn per month, your income will be looked over. You have to have had a job where you were paying into the system for an allotted number of years based on the amount you’ll be getting. If you earn a certain amount monthly you’ll be considered a full-time worker and not provided any benefits. Just like with Medicaid your disability has to impede your ability to work. As you can see it’s possible to get both social security and medical benefits. Just make sure you have your forms in order and all the information needed to accurately fill out your applications and you should be good.

What’s the Difference?

Medicaid and Medicare are two different programs. The Medicaid program is state-run covers hospital and treatment expenditures for people with low income. If a person is a recipient of SSDI benefits, they can apply for Medicare. SSI benefit recipients generally receive Medicaid services. In becoming eligible to collect social security benefits accepting Medicaid assistance should first enquire about the rules and eligibility criteria that differ from state to state.

Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI)

Fresh recipient of Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI) recipients will have to wait two years to be eligible to receive Medicaid Benefits since it takes usually more than a year for receiving approval for disability benefits. In America, there are many states where becoming eligible to collect social security benefits automatically makes the citizen eligible for Medicaid Services thus eradicating any sort of waiting period. There are states where you have to separately sign-up with this program that may or may not include any waiting period.
In states where the SSI recipient becomes auto-eligible for Medicaid, the state officials call the eligible members after the Social Security Administration issues the SSI Award Letter.

Becoming Eligible for Social Security

In becoming eligible to collect social security benefits, such States follow the standard criterion set by SSA but they are also bent on making their own state-based rules for availing Medicaid Services. Basically, an SSI recipient in these States does not become automatically eligible for receiving Medicaid Benefits. They have to register themselves in the nearest State Medicaid Agency to start receiving the benefits from both the SSA and Medicaid. One should identify the state where automatic enrolment for Medicaid is not an option yet, as they set new parameters settings, different from the default one. The income limits can be higher or lower than the standard SSI guidelines, change in the limits of different assets, or the criterion of getting the approval of disability is modified. These are some of the few parameters which can lead to the rejection of an application for Medicaid in a particular state, though the person is eligible as per the default Medicaid guidelines.

Do they Differ State by State?

The income limits in such States do not differ much from the States that offer automatic Medicaid eligibility to SSI recipients. The majority of the states use the asset limit for Medicaid similar to the limit set for SSI eligibility, but few states have a lower asset limit which is a setback for the eligible SSI recipients as they miss out on the Medicaid services. But a couple of State has taken the noble decision to increase the different asset limit as a result of which more people become eligible for the Medicaid program.

209(b)

These states with higher asset and income limits are named after a section of the SSI program in 1972 and are called 209(b) states. This section of the legislation put a check on the states forbidding any amendments to the Medicaid eligibility criteria that might make it difficult for the citizens to qualify for the program. In 209(b) states, one must consult the State Medicaid Agency for enrolling in the Medicaid program. There are a few 209(b) states that have set income limits that are lower than the criterion for SSI. This surely has repercussions of people getting disqualified from the program. But the State has to allow the Medicaid applicants to pay for their medical expenses when the applicant is being checked for eligibility. This process of spending-down simply means that SSI recipients with higher medical bills will automatically qualify for Medicaid in these particular states.

What If You Are Denied?

In the case of someone receiving SSI benefits was denied Medicaid services in any state especially the 209(b) classified states, one should immediately make an appeal to the State Medicaid Agency. The State is bound to provide you a proper justification for denying or halting the service as per Federal Medical Rules since 1972. In case an SSI recipient stops receiving the SSI benefits for some reason, he or she will continue to receive Medicaid benefits without any hindrance. For people who cannot pay their Medicare premiums and other medical expenditures, the State might have some provision for assistance. There are some programs chalked out by the state for such citizens who qualify for Medicaid. The programs assist in different ways like some pay the premiums and some take care of the Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.

Below The Age Of 65

An applicant has to visit the Medicaid office for verification of income and other assets, to confirm the eligibility of the candidate. If the applicant is below the age of 65, disability verifications are carried out according to the State guidelines. Hence, becoming eligible to collect social security benefits accepting Medicaid Assistance one should have a good understanding of the State Medicaid policies and how they differ from the existing SSI membership guidelines.

About Author

Senior Health Insight is a free online resource for helping both seniors and caring families gain an understanding of the various healthcare solutions available to cater to a variety of circumstances. Senior Health Insight was created by health and insurance professionals to provide a one-stop information source for senior health care. Let Senior Health Insight help you and your family navigate Senior Health complexities with confidence.

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About

Senior Health Insight is a free online resource for helping both seniors and caring families gain an understanding of the various healthcare solutions available to cater to a variety of circumstances. Senior Health Insight was created by health and insurance professionals to provide a one-stop information source for senior health care. Let Senior Health Insight help you and your family navigate Senior Health complexities with confidence.